Marie Thirtsa Viard

Marie T. Viard is the president of the Association of Haitian Educators of Dade (AHED) and a language (Haitian-Creole and French) educator at Morningside K-8 Academy (MK8) in Miami, Florida. Marie has a track record of successful teaching and education reform. She has been teaching children and adults of all ages for over two decades, in the K-12 educational system and college. She takes excellent pride in educating her students and serving her community.

Marie’s high school teacher, “Mrs. Allison” from Miami Jackson Sr. High, inspired her to take on tutoring and volunteering engagements at a homeless shelter, when she was very young. As an immigrant student and at that time still enrolled as an English for Speakers of other Languages (ESOL) student, Marie was already recognized as an excellent mathematics tutor. She won several awards of distinction, particularly the “Silver Knight Award” and graduated top 10 of her class. She served as a mentor to children for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. Moreover, she volunteered at the Camillus House for the Homeless and Florida Veterans Organization.

Marie is passionate about teaching and inspiring children and adults to be the best they can be. As a seasoned professional educator and education advocate with more than 26 years of educational experience, Marie is known for driving her students’ minds to maximize excellence and perform their best. Furthermore, Marie has also reached out to children in her homeland, Haiti, and built a school for over 200 children where she nurtures them academically and emotionally. Marie’s shared passion for community service has given her the respect of her colleagues, school administrators, parents, and community partners, in Miami, FL and Haiti.

Besides being an educator and community advocate, Marie is also a successful businesswoman. Her hobbies are traveling, scuba diving, jet skiing, reading, and spending valuable time with family and friends.